Dc

Commonly referred to as the Iwo Jima Memorial, the world's tallest standing bronze statue honors the Marines who have defended the United States since November 10, 1775 with every major battle campaign inscribed at its base. The 32-foot-high...

If you spend any amount of time roaming about the neighborhoods near the US Capitol, you’ll find that there are plenty of chain coffeshops that will deliver you the same cup of joe experience that you can get at the same spot in your hometown,...

One deceptive thing about D.C. is that it looks like a small place, but it’s surprising how much walking you do when you're here. Walking in and between the museums, monuments, and other landmarks, you’ll be exhausted if you don’t pace yourself....

Overlooking the Potomac River, the Kennedy Center stands as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy and an iconic landmark for arts in America. Its marble facade, sky-high ceilings, and crystal chandeliers exude grandeur, not to mention the...

During the colonial days, one of the main north-south thoroughfares was the C&O Canal, which began in Washington, D.C.'s Georgetown neighborhood and continued for 187 miles to Cumberland, Md. Back then, travel was by boat and slow as molasses....

Whether you have a green thumb or just love to bask in nature, you'll want to check out the National Arboretum before you bid D.C. adieu. Spring is one of the best times to visit, when the azaleas, rhododendrons, and native trees are in full...

Dolcezza is an artisanal gelato company with several locations in the Washington, D.C. area. What makes Dolcezza unique in the world of gelaterias is that the gelato it serves up is made according to the Italian traditions in Argentina. I’m no...

A relative newcomer to the roster of D.C. restaurants, Ezme quickly established itself as worthy addition. Ezme is located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, and it’s a small but cozy dining space. The moment I see the Turkish tiles on the wall, I...

Located in D.C.’s southwest waterfront neighborhood, Arena Stage is a not-for-profit, regional theater in operation since 1950, and it's a Tony Award–winning venue. I’ve been coming to this gem of a performance center since I was a child, when my...

Blues Alley is a Washington, D.C., landmark. Music lovers of all types will be hooked by this gem of a jazz club. The venue gets its name from its location: an alley off Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown. You'll probably need to look for the sign...

For a night of music, soul food, and raucous fun, head to Madam’s Organ, a local landmark in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. It's not hard to find this place; look for the large mural of “Madam” on the side of the building and an...

No doubt you were raised to be an upstanding citizen, but if you are ever curious about how those who live on the wrong side of the law are caught and punished, then come to the National Museum of Crime and Punishment in Washington, D.C. The...

An exceptional experience awaits you beyond the doors of this magnificent Colonial, located on a hill on the banks of the Potomac River. Situated on 8,000 beautifully landscaped acres, the home exudes the style and opulence worthy of a true...

Few local D.C. residents know about St. Matthews Cathedral, and I would really be surprised if any visitors to D.C. knew about it, since it’s the National Cathedral that gets the mention in the guidebooks. That’s too bad, really, because this tiny...

The Newseum is an interactive, ever-evolving tribute to our First Amendment freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. Powerful exhibits such as eight sections of the Berlin Wall (the largest display outside Germany) provide...

The U.S. Capitol Building is the epicenter of all D.C. political action—this is where the country's most important battles are fought. Home to the House of Representatives and the Senate's meeting chambers for more than two centuries, it's...

Aside from fictional spies like James Bond, Jason Bourne, and Austin Powers, few of us know much about the world of espionage and that’s probably very deliberate. After all, you can’t expect any good spy to be giving away their trade...

I’ve had a life long love affair with pork so when a friend suggested that we go for dinner at a place called The Pig, how could I say no? The Pig serves up its dishes as small plates, so it’s the perfect place to go with a group of people and...

Established in 1800, the Library of Congress is the oldest federal institution in the United States. The library was destroyed by British troops just 14 years after its conception, and Congress used Thomas Jefferson’s collection of 6,487...

I’m very lucky. I get to spend my days in one of the most beautiful cities in the world! One thing that makes D.C. so special is the amount of green space that we have in the city. Constitution Gardens is just a few blocks from my office, and it’s...

No theater in America has had a more tragic history than Ford's. During an April 14, 1865, performance, 26-year-old stage actor John Wilkes Booth shot President Abraham Lincoln as he sat in the flag-draped presidential box. Shuttered for nearly a...

What started off as only one truck by owner Steve Hanifi, now there are five, making Tasty Kabob DC's largest food truck fleet. Often seen around L'Enfant Plaza, Franklin Square, Farragut Square, and in Rosslyn, VA, each truck serves up generous,...

Need some rest and relaxation after walking and soaking in the D.C. sights, history, and heritage? Head to this grassy lawn between the Potomac River and the George Washington Parkway. While it does provide pretty views of the D.C. skyline and...

Sixty million years in the making yet discovered in 1937, Skyline Caverns is the closest set of caverns the D.C. area. Highlights feature unique stalactites and stalagmites, three underground streams, and the 37-foot Rainbow Waterfall. However,...

Since its dedication in 1959, this Byzantine-Romanesque shrine to the Virgin Mary has welcomed over one million visitors a year, among them Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Mother Teresa. At more than 77,500 square feet, it is the largest...

Built from 1892 to 1894, this uniquely intact Victorian mansion was the home of German-American philanthropist and beer magnate Christian Heurich. Considered the world's oldest brewmaster, he ran the Christian Heurich Brewery on the site where the...

Built between 1902 and 1905 along the now-famous Embassy Row, this 50-room Beaux Arts mansion was the winter residence of Ambassador Larz Anderson III, a career American diplomat, and his wife Isabel Weld Perkins, an author, Red Cross volunteer,...

Completed in 1899, this Byzantine and Romanesque-style church is a popular destination as a place for pilgrimage and worship for thousands of visitors to D.C. Run by the Order of St. Francis of Assisi (Franciscans), the monastery and its...

The 163-acre National Zoo is cradled by D.C.’s wooded Rock Creek Park, providing a protected, dynamic habitat for more than 1,500 animals. From the micro-world of insects to the larger-than-life world of elephants, the exhibits are engaging...

Originally founded as the National Museum of History and Technology in 1964, this museum charms visitors with over three million artifacts and national treasures related to formative events in American history. Highlights include the original flag...

The Holocaust Memorial Museum is a living memorial to the more than 11 million victims who perished at the hands of the Nazis before and during World War II. Built in 1993, the permanent exhibition tells the Holocaust's full story through real...

Opened to the public as part of the country's bicentennial celebration in 1976, this is the largest of the Smithsonian Institution's 20 museums. It is the most-visited museum in the U.S. (and the second-most-visited museum in the world behind the...

D.C. is one of the few cities to have one of these—officially, that is. Sandwiched between Montrose Park and Dumbarton Oaks Museum and Gardens, this picturesque trail starts near 31st and R Streets NW in Georgetown and cuts through Rock Creek Park...

The Pentagon Tour is the kind of immersive American experience you should not skip. It attracts more than 100,000 visitors a year for good reason. On the hour-long, 1.5-mile walking tour, you'll peek into the world's largest low-rise office...

Tragedy struck the United States on September 11, 2001 after terrorists attacked not only New York City, but also the Pentagon Building outside D.C. This simple yet elegant memorial, built along the side of the Pentagon that was hit, was dedicated...

Every Wednesday evening from May through August, head to Fort Myer to see the U.S. Army's Twilight Tattoo pageant. Participating soldiers hail from the 3rd Infantry Regiment (the Old Guard) and the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." The Army's...

Prior to becoming a national cemetery, this was a 1,100-acre plantation centered around Arlington House. Built from 1802–1818, it was originally owned by George Washington Parke Custis who designed it as a memorial to his step-grandfather,...

The Arlington National Cemetery is a 625-acre cemetery where fallen veterans have been laid to rest since the American Civil War. The cemetery lies at the end of Memorial Bridge, across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington,...

Inside Arlington Cemetery and standing on a hill overlooking D.C., the tomb was dedicated in 1921. It originally contained the remains of four unknown soldiers, each one representing the thousands of unknown soldiers from World War I, World War...

Located on the 7th floor of the U.S. State Department, the 42-room Diplomatic Reception Room collection is used by the Secretary of State, Vice President, and Cabinet members to sign treaties, hold summit meetings, and entertain world leaders and...

Named for the mythical dragon-like beast said to terrorize the region at the turn of the century, Snallygaster is DC's largest beer festival. It features a beastly display of over 250 unique craft beers, sourced from the best local, domestic, and...

For over 45 years, Mount Vernon was the home of American Revolutionary War General and first U.S. President George Washington. By looking and walking around his once 8,000 acre plantation, one can learn about Washington's personal life, character,...

The largest Ethiopian community outside of Ethiopia is located along U and 9th streets NW, in the historic 19th-century U Street and Shaw neighborhood—and it counts many of the greater D.C. area's 45 Ethiopian restaurants. Among them is a...

It's best to follow these lunches on wheels on Twitter, but usually you'll find them lined up near the L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station in southwest D.C., McPherson Square, Franklin Park, and Farragut Square all in northwest D.C. Popular ones include...

An undulating steel and glass canopy wows visitors who enter the Kogod Courtyard. Inside you'll find diners from the museum's café, tourists soaking their weary feet in the shallow fountain running across the space, and students taking advantage...

In the heart of D.C.'s Penn Quarter, Zaytinya serves up a variety of tapas inspired by traditional dishes from Greece, Lebanon, and Turkey. It also has a selection of wines from such Eastern Mediterranean countries and seasonally serves a hot tea...

Washington is as spectacular by night as it is by day. All the major buildings and monuments are lit up. The area in and around the Mall is especially beautiful. Although D.C. is an incredibly walkable city, the distances between the popular...

One of the best ways to take in the monuments that make D.C. famous is from the water. The advantages are many: less crowds, no parking issues, cool Potomac breezes, and a unique point of view. I love an evening tour, when you get to see...

From the hilltop of the U.S. Capitol to the riverfront behind the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall is “America’s Front Yard.” Lined with museums and accented by monuments and memorials, the 1.9-mile stretch of green space is...

Fleurir is a charming chocolate boutique that produces and sells exquisite chocolate bonbons and treats. Chocolatier Robert Ludlow creates innovative flavors out of quality ingredients that include lavender shiraz, peanut butter banana, and lemon...

Pie Sisters is a bakery located in Georgetown with a scrumptious assortment of both sweet and savory pies. The business is operated by three sisters who left their day jobs to share the family tradition of making fresh, homemade pies with the DC...

The Eastern Market, now a National Historic Landmark, opened in 1873 to serve the Capitol Hill neighborhood (an 1805 version, located down by the Navy Yard, was a casualty of the War of 1812). The brick market hall, packed with butchers, bakers,...

The owner of this food truck told my brother that the beef kofta he makes is the best in the city. Wanting to test his claim and having already had a falafel gyro at another food truck, I ignored my full stomach and ordered one. You know what, he...

RedRocks is a small eatery in the Columbia Heights neighborhood in Washington, D.C. It’s located just a couple blocks off the main commercial area hugging 14th Street. While there are plenty of chain restaurants peppering 14th Street, it’s worth...

Want a place to grab a great, I mean really great, sandwich instead of a hotdog from a food truck? Then look no further than WTF. The acronym stands for Woodward Takeout Food, not that other phrase you most likely had in mind, you naughty person....

When the red-meat craving hits, there’s one place that satisfies the need for a juicy fix: Burger Tap and Shake, otherwise simply known as BTS. BTS offers a great selection of burgers made from locally sourced beef that is freshly ground on...

If you go to the Valero gas station at the corner of 14th and U St. NW, you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise when you enter the adjacent store. There is food and drink for sale, but not your typical U.S. gas station fare—no chips or Slim Jims or...

Located in the atrium of the Corcoran Gallery of Art is a casual café that is owned and operated by celebrated chef Todd Gray, who is better known for the elegant and composed meals that he serves up at his flagship restaurant, Equinox, than...

DGS Delicatessen opened around the time I travelled to Israel. After two weeks of eating real Jewish food, I was curious to find out how DGS would compare, especially since it’s just about the only Jewish deli in downtown D.C. I am happy to say...

We have restaurateur Ashok Bajaj to thank for bringing the cuisine of his hometown, Mumbai, to the D.C. dining scene. Both Rasika and now sister restaurant Rasika West End have received rave reviews from both food reviewers and diners. You can...

Step inside Mari Vanna, and the first thing that strikes you is the feminine décor. The place looks like what I imagine a Russian grandmother’s house to be—lots of flowery wallpaper, crocheted lampshades, shabby chic furniture, lace tablecloths,...

It’s only been in the past few years that serious Mexican food has made an appearance in D.C. We now have our share of taquerias serving up tacos as delicious and as reasonably priced as I’ve ever had. Not to brush off the newcomers, but none of...

If the only way you know how to eat Japanese rice is with sushi or sashimi, you are missing out. You need to go to Kotobuki for kamameshi, a traditional Japanese rice dish cooked in an iron pot called a kama. Kotobuki is a hole-in-the-wall, tiny...

Drawing on the concept of a Hakata Ramen shop, where he worked in for a year in Taipei, Taiwan, chef-owner Erik Bruner-Yang has made Toki one of the coolest additions to the emerging H Street scene in northeast Washington, D.C. Edgy, hip, scruffy,...

Marrakesh doesn't have a door. It has a hatch, and you have to knock. Once you enter through it (plus a curtain), a lush, exotic room of couches, textiles, and knee-high tables awaits you. You lounge on the couches, eating a five-course meal with...

To Peruvians, Pollo a la Brasa (rotisserie chicken) is considered a special feast. But for D.C.-area residents, it's considered a highly-coveted fast food and cheap eat. Since 1988, the Solano family has served what diners (including chef and TV...

On my last day in DC, my brother and I dined at Daikaya, the city's newest ramen shop by Chef Katsuya Fukushima, former chef de cuisine to the revolutionary Spanish chef, José Andrés. The restaurant is somewhat difficult to find. Look for a large,...

The Tabard Inn is delightfully historic and creaky, with corridors and staircases that make the place seem endless. (The inn opened its doors to guests in 1922.) You can dine in the cosy basement restaurant or out on the courtyard patio. It's a...

During three years of living in Washington, D.C., I made it my mission to visit as many museums as I could, and the National Museum of the American Indian quickly won me over. I was greeted by a live dance performance and welcomed into a circular...

If you're in the northwest area of D.C., and looking for good food with fresh ingredients, or for some unhealthy beignets that are simply excellent, then check out Founding Farmers. I started out eating on the healthy side, with an egg white...

Like its sister restaurant Founding Farmers, the Georgetown Waterfront restaurant evokes Americana, farmhouse tradition, and seasonality in both menu and atmosphere. The weekend buffet-style brunches are a keeper that includes breakfast tacos,...

When it opened in 1987, Paolo's, located in the heart of Georgetown, quickly became the place to dine for lunch, cocktails, and dinner. Today, the restaurant still bustles with energy and exceptional offerings of traditional Italian fare fused...

This split-level Clarendon tavern and upstairs dining room puts a creative spin on modern American cuisine with its rustic seasonal menu and well-priced wine and beer lists. Breads, pasta, sausages, and desserts are made in-house, and many...